Game warden struck and dragged by truck in Newton County

A game warden is recovering Friday morning after he was struck and dragged 100 feet by a pickup truck in Newton County, and despite his injuries, Ellis Powell was still able to fire several shots at the suspect's truck.

Powell has now been released from Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

A warrant has been issued for the suspect, James William Woods Junior, 23, of Newton County, on a charge of Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer, a 1st Degree Felony.

Sheriff Joe Walker says Powell and a Newton police officer were in a patrol car and made a traffic stop at about 9:20 p.m. Thursday on Loop 505, south of Newton.

Walker says Woods was asked to leave the vehicle, and when officers began searching the pickup they discovered drugs.

Woods ran away and the officers chased him. He was able to get back into his red, 2001 Chevy 771 extended cab pickup and started driving away.

Sheriff Walker says Powell got caught between the pickup's door and the extended cab door and was dragged, but despite his injuries he was able to open fire on the pickup truck while he was lying on the ground. The Newton police officer also shot at the vehicle.

"From looking at where the traffic stop began and up to the point of where the game warden opened fire, he was probably dragged a good 100 feet," Newton County Sheriff Joe Walker told KFDM News.

"He was lying on the highway and was still able to open fire. He flattened the right rear tire."

The Newton police officer also shot at the vehicle. Walker says it appears three shots hit the tire, three hit the tailgate and one struck the rear windshield on the passenger side.

Officers found the suspect's truck at 11 p.m., about three miles away.

Powell was flown by medical helicopter to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. He was released Friday morning.

"He's in good shape, he's talking," said Walker. "But he's bruised really bad. He has road rash. He has a bad head laceration above his left eye. And he kept complaining about his knees hurting. We don't know if it's from being dragged or the impact of striking the pavement."

Walker tells KFDM that Woods was recently released on parole for a 2007 conviction for aggravated assault on a peace officer in Jasper.

Walker said based on where the pickup was found, Woods returned to the community where he was raised in Newton County. Walker believes the suspect got a ride out of the area. He says about 250 law enforcement officers from across Southeast Texas converged on Newton County to help with the search.

The organized search has now ended and officers will keep an eye out for Woods while they're on patrol.

Stay with KFDM for the latest on the story.

(News release from Sheriff Joe Walker)

Last evening at approx. 9.20 PM a member of the Newton Police Department and Warden of the Texas Parks and Wildlife were on patrol together in the City limits of the City of Newton. The two made a traffic stop on a Red, 2001,Chevrolet, extended cab pickup bearing Texas license plate 70G CH8, during the stop the two identified the driver and only occupant as, James William Woods Jr. (Baby James).

During this stop the driver was escorted to the rear of the vehicle and a search was being conducted were drugs were found and then the subject Woods fled on foot. The officers pursued and attempted to apprehend the subject however he got back to his truck. The Warden lead in the chase and managed to get in between the doors of the vehicle where Woods was seated and now accelerating wildly in an attempt to flee dragging the Warden down the highway along side the truck as he was trapped in-between the doors.

As the Wardens body came out from under the truck he managed to fire on the vehicle in an attempt to stop this rampage as well did the City Patrolman. The Police officer now had a role reversal and had to render aide to the Warden and drag his body from the roadway giving him first aide while waiting for help. The Warden was air lifted to St. E. in Beaumont for medical treatment and is listed as stable.

BY the help and Grace of God, the Warden managed to keep himself away from the tires and being totally crushed by the vehicle: however was injured by this event. The Warden has head and knee injuries and is badly bruised and "road rashed" from the dragging.

A mass manhunt ensued from agencies surrounding Newton County. Approx 250 Deputies, Police Officers, Game Wardens, DPS Troopers, Rangers, Fire and EMS personnel.

At approx 11.00 PM Chief Adams and I found the subjects vehicle about a block from his fathers home off MLK here in Newton however Woods is not to be found, it is believed at this time that he has been transported away from the area.

Any one with information in regard to the were abouts of Woods is asked to call this information in to the Newton County Sheriffs Office and WILL REMAIN ANONOYMOUS.

Sheriff Joe Walker